WNBA Star Dearica Hamby Gets Standing Ovation During Aces Ring Night

The Las Vegas Aces celebrated their first home game of the new season with a pre-game ceremony to receive their 2022 WNBA championship rings on Saturday night. Dearica Hamby, one of the Aces' star players last season, was also in attendance since her new team, the Los Angeles Sparks, was playing the Aces.

Hamby, who was traded in January during a controversy with Aces' coach Becky Hammon suspended for two games, got a standing ovation.

Each player received a ring with 561 diamonds, with the words "World Champion" and the Aces' logo on the front. There were 26 exceptional cut diamonds on the show to represent the Aces' 26 wins in the league's 26th season. On one side of the ring was the players' name, position, and number; on the other there was the WNBA championship trophy.

Hamby spent eight seasons with the Aces, and the fans were happy she was at the ring ceremony because she got a standing ovation. After receiving her ring, her daughter Amaya ran over to her to hug her during the applause.

"I feel like it was a great moment for her to have, a great moment for us to share with her," Aces player A'ja Wilson said about Hamby being present to receive her title ring.

"We don't win the ring without [Dearica]. So, it's great she could have that moment and share it with her two children, her mom, and her sister there. And it was perfect to see her."

The star player was traded back in January and accused the Aces of treating her "unprofessional and unethical" after announcing her second pregnancy and for not following through on promises made to her when she signed a contract extension during last season.

Hamby released a statement on her Instagram page that revealed she was traded and what was happening, starting by addressing her fans.

"I gave everything I had, and until the disgusting comments made to me, I fought to stay here and tried to be amicable," she wrote. "You have helped make me who I am today. I never imagined going out like this, but you have inspired me in more ways than you will know."

She continued by explaining hat being traded is apossiblein this business, but "being lied to, bullied, manipulated, and discriminated against is not."

"I have had my character and work ethic attacked. I was promised things to entice me to sign my contract extension that was not followed through. I was accused of signing my extension knowingly pregnant," she continued.

"That is false. I was told that I was a question mark' and that it was said that I said I would 'get pregnant again,' and there was a concern for my level of commitment to the team."

The allegations resulted in Aces head coach Becky Hammon getting a two-game suspension for "violating the league and team Respect in the Workplace policies." Saturday night's game was her first game back after her break.

Back in March, Hamby shared a video montage of photos throughout her pregnancy and a video to announce her son Legend's arrival.

The WNBA star also shared photos from Saturday night's game and ring ceremony, including a sweet photo of her children sleeping, captioned "Life Lately."

Her followers dropped into the comment section to leave their words of support and love.

"VEGAS LOVES YOU, HAMBY," one fan wrote. Another added, "You're an awesome mother and athlete. The @aces should have never let you go."

One fan mentioned her daughter's participation in the ring ceremony. "Loved seeing Hamby and Amaya get their ring! 💜💛"

Another fan was grateful for Hamby's presence, "We're so lucky to have you here. 💜💛."